John Davey (actor)

John Davey (born June 25, 1939) is a retired[1] American actor. He is best known for portraying Captain Marvel on the Shazam! television series in the mid-1970s after Jackson Bostwick was dismissed in the early part of the second season.[2]

John Davey
Born (1939-06-25) June 25, 1939
OccupationActor
Years active1965–1987
ChildrenThomas Davey

Early life, family and education

Davey was raised in Winnemucca, Nevada,[3] the only city in Humboldt County, Nevada. He graduated from Humboldt County High School in 1957.[3]

Career

Davey was in the US Marine Corps from September 3, 1957 to October 1961.[3] He was also a heavyweight boxer, including work as a sparring partner for Joe Frazier.[1]

Davey performed in numerous television series, including Perry Mason, The Rockford Files, and Max Headroom. Like many Hollywood actors, he would appear in minor roles as different characters in specific episodes of the same series; he appeared in The Rockford Files in six episodes over three years this way, and in four episodes of Barnaby Jones this way.[4] He acted in many TV movies.

Davey's most prominent performances were in his leading role as the superhero character Captain Marvel on the television series Shazam!.[2] The show was created and broadcast during the Saturday morning timeslot, which was typically for children's programming. Davey was the second actor to play the role on the series.[5] (The original actor for the role, Jackson Bostwick, was fired by the show's producers who believed Bostwick did not appear for filming as an attempt to increase his salary,[2] although Bostwick explained he was receiving medical treatment for injuries which occurred while performing stunts during filming of Shazam.[6] Bostwick successfully litigated against Filmation Associates, which was forced to pay him for the remainder of his contract, plus residuals, including the entire second season.) Davey has recalled that the producers were hastily seeking to replace Bostwick.[1] As Captain Marvel, Davey appeared in three episodes of Isis, a companion TV series.[4]

Personal life

Davey has a son, Tomasso Gambino (born on May 23, 1967), a grandson Kian Seiter and granddaughter Kylee Rice.[3]

Screen roles

John Davey filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1965Perry MasonFootball PlayerEpisode: "The Case of the 12th Wildcat" (uncredited)
1970There Was a Crooked Man...Riot GuardUncredited
1971Night GalleryMcWhirterEpisode: "Death in the Family/The Merciful/Class of '99/Witches' Feast" (segment "Class of '99")
1971–1972IronsideSecond Trainer / MPEpisodes: "The Savage Sentry", "Good Samaritan"
1971–1972The F.B.I.Truck DriverEpisode: "The Outcast", "Bitter Harbor"
1972Mod SquadMatty RyunEpisode: "Sanctuary"
1972Room 222Tom HalsteadEpisode: "Mr. Wrong"
1972They Only Kill Their MastersHead RemovalistUncredited
1973Beg, Borrow, or StealGuardTV movie
1973The Odd CoupleAndreasEpisode: "The Odyssey Couple"
1973–1974The RookiesRoy / JenksEpisodes: "The Old Neighborhood", "Life Robbery"
1975CannonDanny Fairchild / Lieutenant WaleyEpisodes: "The Iceman", "Perfect Fit for a Frame"
1975S.W.A.T.NovakEpisode: "Omega One (1975)
1975Sky HeistDeputy FreedmanTV movie
1975–1976IsisCaptain MarvelEpisodes: "Now You See It...", "...And Now You Don't", "Funny Gal"
1975–1976Shazam!Captain Marvel11 episodes
1976Black Sheep SquadronThird MarineEpisode: "New Georgia on My Mind (1976)
19773 WomenDr. Norton
1977The Late ShowSergeant Dayton
1977–1980Barnaby JonesOfficer Portland / Harry Towler / Tank Bronson / etc.5 episodes
1977–1980The Rockford FilesMechanic / Rudy / Cowboy / etc.6 episodes
1978The Comedy CompanyCopTV movie
1979Goldie and the BoxerMurphyTV movie
1979Institute for RevengeI.F.R. MemberTV movie
1981CHiPsCommunications SergeantEpisode: "11–99: Officer Needs Help" (1981)
1982Marian Rose WhiteMaxieTV movie
1983Deal of the CenturyPilot on Screen
1983Remington Steele'Blazin' Billy FlynnEpisode: "Steele Knuckles and Glass Jaws" (1983)
1984Whiz KidsDriverEpisode: "Father's Day" (1984)
1985J.O.E. and the ColonelWilsonTV movie
1985Scarecrow and Mrs. KingEpisode: "Vigilante Mothers" (1985)
1985The Boys Next DoorWatkins
1985The Twilight ZoneOfficerEpisode: "Healer/Children's Zoo/Kentucky Rye" (segment "Kentucky Rye")
1986A Fine MessDetective Horn
1987MacGyverState TrooperEpisode: "Phoenix Under Siege" (1987)
1987Max HeadroomEpisode: "Blipverts" (1987)

Notes and references

  1. Gray, Michael; Davey, John (May 20, 2016). Episode 126: Shazam Commentary with Michael Gray and John Davey (Audio podcast). Interviewed by Joe Stuber via Acast.com.
  2. Murray, Noel (April 9, 2013). "'Shazam!' Remembering when superheroes weren't quite so cool". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 23, 2017. (Jackson Bostwick played Captain Marvel in the original incarnation of the 'Shazam!' television series, appearing as Billy Batson’s superhero alter ego for the first 17 episodes of the series; the role was then taken over by John Davey.)
  3. John Davey on Facebook
  4. John Davey at IMDb
  5. Greenberger, Robert (February 25, 2014). "REVIEW: Shazam! The Complete Series". ComicMix.com. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  6. Bostwick, Jackson (August 2003). "Exclusive Interview: Jackson Bostwick". angelfire.com. The Unofficial Shazam! Appreciation Page. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
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